60 THE FROGS WHO WOULD A-WOOING GO.

his white cloth, had lathered his customer’s chin, and was flourish-
ing a razor in his face, when what should catch Croaker’s eye
through the open doorway but the figure of his cousin Jumper,
smartly dressed, with his cane under his arm, and a parasol over
his head, to keep the sun off his delicate complexion, walking
hastily along the path that led to Miss Leapfrog’s residence.

To jump from his chair was Croaker’s first impulse, and, sad
to say, it was his last; for he fell with his throat upon the edge
of the barber’s razor, and in two minutes breathed his last.

Deep was Miss Leapfrog’s grief, and great was Mr. Jumper’s
joy, when the news of this sad misfortune reached their ears. In
the first burst of her anguish the young lady accused the barber
of having murdered her dear Croaker; but Mr. Jumper hopped
about for joy, and vowed that the barber was the best frog
alive. And well he might be joyful, for as Croaker had died with-
out a will, Jumper inherited all his estates; and when, after a
week’s mourning, the young lady’s grief had somewhat subsided,
the happy Mr. Jumper carried off the beautiful Miss Leapfrog.

But alas, how uncertain is happiness either to man or frogs !
Two days afterwards, as Jumper was crossing a brook, a lily-white
duck, who had been concealed by the rushes, flew at him with open
beak and gobbled him up.

_ And the poor bride was left to mourn in silent solitude.